System for removal of unknown, corrossive, or potentially hazardous gases from a gas container

Abstract

A system for removing a gas from a pressurized gas container. A sealable, impermeable rupture vessel encloses an interior on all sides and has a sealable door for allowing access to the interior for placement therein of the gas container. A puncture device is contained within the rupture vessel for puncturing the gas container and releasing the potentially hazardous and unknown gas from the gas container into the rupture vessel. A pump draws the gas from within the rupture vessel without permitting the gas to communicate with any moving parts in the pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for removing gas from a gas container comprising: a sealable, impermeable rupture vessel having a interior enclosed on all sides and a sealable door for allowing access to the interior for placement therein of the gas container;   a puncture device within the rupture vessel for puncturing the gas container and releasing the potentially hazardous and unknown gas from the gas container into the rupture vessel; and   a pump, in fluid communication with said rupture vessel, for drawing gas from the rupture vessel without permitting the gas to communicate with any moving, mechanical parts in the pump;   wherein the pump comprises: at least one pressure vessel containing a fluid;   at least one venturi eductor disposed within the pressure vessel and at least partially immersed in the fluid within the at least one pressure vessel;   at least one gas inlet port extending through the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the at least one venturi eductor;   at least one fluid inlet port extending through the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the at least one venturi eductor;   at least one venturi outlet port for accepting the flow of a mixture of gas and fluid, the at least one venturi outlet port being in fluid communication with at least one venturi eductor and positioned above the fluid within the at least one pressure vessel;   at least one gas outlet port extending through the at least one pressure vessel and positioned above the fluid within the at least one pressure vessel;   at least one fluid outlet port extending through the at least one pressure vessel; and     means for separating gas from the mixture of gas and fluid flowing from the at least one venturi outlet port and essentially preventing the exhaust of fluid through the at least one gas outlet;   whereby the flow of the fluid into the at least one fluid inlet port and out of the at least one fluid outlet port creates a vacuum with draws the gas through the at least one gas inlet port, through the at least one venturi outlet port and separating means, and out the at least one gas outlet port without the interaction of gas with any moving, mechanical parts within the pump.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump includes: two venturi eductors disposed within the pressure vessel;   two venturi outlet ports each in communication with one of the venturi eductors;   two gas inlet ports extending through the pressure vessel, each in fluid communication with one of the two venturi eductors; and   a hydraulic pump, in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port, for drawing fluid from the pressure vessel and generating a flow of fluid to the venturi eductors.   
     
     
       3. The system of claim 1 wherein the separating means comprises a series of planar obstructions creating a convoluted fluid pathway from the venturi outlet port to the gas outlet port. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump includes: first and second venturi eductors disposed within the pressure vessel,   first and second venturi outlet ports respectively in communication with the first and second venturi eductors,   first and second gas inlet ports extending through the pressure vessel, respectively in fluid communication with the first and second venturi eductors,   a hydraulic pump, in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port, for drawing the fluid from the pressure vessel and generating a flow of the fluid to the venturi eductors,   a dividing baffle disposed within the pressure vessel dividing the pressure vessel into two parts and separating the first venturi eductor from the second venturi eductor,   first and second gas outlet ports extending through the pressure vessel, respectively corresponding to the first and second venturi eductors, and   the first gas outlet port being connected to the second gas inlet port.   
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a liquid level indicator providing visual observation of the fluid level of the fluid within the pressure vessel. 
     
     
       6. A pump for pumping gas comprising: at least one pressure vessel containing a fluid,   at least one venturi eductor disposed within the pressure vessel and at least partially immersed in the fluid within the at least one pressure vessel,   at least one gas inlet port extending through the at least one pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the at least one venturi eductor,   at least one fluid inlet port extending through the at least one pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the at least one venturi eductor;   at least one venturi outlet port for accepting the flow of a mixture of gas and fluid, the at least one venturi outlet port being in fluid communication with the at least one venturi eductor and positioned above the fluid within the at least one pressure vessel,   at least one gas outlet port extending through the at least one pressure vessel and positioned above the fluid within the at least one pressure vessel,   at least one fluid outlet port extending through the at least one pressure vessel, and   means for separating gas from the mixture of gas and fluid flowing from the at least one venturi outlet port and essentially preventing the exhaust of fluid through the at least one gas outlet,   whereby the flow of the fluid into the at least one fluid inlet port and out of the at least one fluid outlet port creates a vacuum which draws the gas through the at least one gas inlet port, through the at least one venturi outlet port and separating means, and out the at least one gas outlet port without the interaction of the gas with any moving, mechanical parts within the pump.   
     
     
       7. The pump of claim 6 including: two venturi eductors disposed within the pressure vessel;   two venturi outlet ports each in communication with one of the venturi eductors;   two gas inlet ports extending through the pressure vessel, each in fluid communication with one of the two venturi eductors; and   a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port for drawing fluid from the pressure vessel and generating a flow of fluid to the venturi eductors.   
     
     
       8. The pump of claim 6 including: first and second venturi eductors disposed within the pressure vessel,   first and second venturi outlet ports respectively in communication with the first and second venturi eductors,   first and second gas inlet ports extending through the pressure vessel, respectively in fluid communication with the first and second venturi eductors,   a hydraulic pump, in fluid communication with the fluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port, for drawing the fluid from the pressure vessel and generating a flow of the fluid to the venturi eductors,   a dividing baffle disposed within the pressure vessel dividing the pressure vessel into two parts and separating the first venturi eductor from the second venturi eductor,   first and second gas outlet ports extending through the pressure vessel, respectively corresponding to the first and second venturi eductors, and   the first gas outlet port being connected to the second gas inlet port.   
     
     
       9. The pump of claim 6 wherein the separating means comprises a series of planar obstructions creating a convoluted fluid pathway from the venturi outlet port to the gas outlet port.